TOPEKA, KS, March 20, 2013 (LifeSiteNews) – The Kansas House of Representatives voted 92-to-31 on Wednesday to strengthen protections for unborn babies, just one day after rejecting an amendment to the state’s late-term abortion ban that would have allowed abortions after 22 weeks in cases of rape or incest.
The new law, which the State Senate promised to act on quickly, states that human life begins “at fertilization” and that “unborn children have interests in life, health and well-being that should be protected.”
The bill, HB 2253, would ban abortionists from receiving tax breaks and would bar public schools from using sex education materials or teachers that are affiliated with abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.
It also includes another provision meant to strengthen current laws preventing student doctors at state schools from using taxpayer-funded time or resources to perform abortions. Additionally, abortionists will now have to disclose additional warnings to patients seeking abortion, including the fact that the procedure has been linked to breast cancer.
On Tuesday, Rep. John Wilson (D-Lawrence) offered an amendment to the bill making an exception to the state’s ban on abortions after 22 weeks, allowing them to be performed in cases of rape or incest. His amendment would have also allowed private insurance to pay for elective abortions in such cases, and exempted abortionists from the requirement that they notify parents in writing when a child seeks an abortion if the child claims to be a victim of rape or incest.
The House overwhelmingly rejected that amendment, with some lawmakers noting that state law allows abortion for any reason before 22 weeks.
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“When we get to the point in time when we’re doing earlier restrictions, then that becomes an issue,” said Rep. Lance Kinzer, (R-Olathe).
The state legislative session is supposed to start winding down by April 5, meaning the Senate will have to act fast if they plan to approve the bill. Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee Chairwoman Mary Pilcher-Cook (R-Shawnee) told the Associated Press she expected the bill to sail through the Senate for Governor Sam Brownback’s expected signature.
“We'll get it done,” said the senator.
But not everyone was happy about new protections for the youngest Kansans. One representative predicted that the legislation would not stop women from getting abortions.
“No matter how many roadblocks are placed in their way, desperate women will do desperate things and make desperate decisions,” said Rep. Patricia Sloop (D-Wichita), arguing against the bill. “No matter how many laws are passed, you will never be able to stop abortions.”
But Rep. Kinzer said he hoped the bill’s language defining life as beginning at fertilization would lead to even stronger protections for unborn babies in the future. “While that won't save any babies today or tomorrow or the day after this bill is hopefully signed,” Kinzer said on the House floor, “what it will do, I hope, is help set the context on more substantive restrictions in the future.”
Read the bill and see how the legislators voted here.